SUCCESSES ALL OVER THE PLACE!It has been a cracking few months for the members of the Bears Croquet Club with successes aplenty.

Congratulations to Andy Smith for reducing his handicap to 4.5. A real inspiration to beginners and intermediate players.

Not to be outdone by Dad, Harvey Smith won not only his first but also his second competitive AC match in a friendly against Worcester Norton at the end of July.

Joanna Friedberger won her first league match whilst playing against Camerton and Peasedown. She was ably supported by her partner Dave Ireland.

Dave Ireland continues to play like a man who really does want to lower his handicap and he has won 57% of his singles league matches this season.

THE BEARS CROQUET CLUB at the RAU, Cirencesterwww.bearscroquet.btck.co.uk

NEWSLETTER AUGUST 2019

Photos from the B team’s game against Camerton &

Peasdown.

CAMPER VAN TO THE RESCUEFacilities for providing guests with lunch and somewhere dry to eat it are limited at the RAU and the ‘B’ team would like to thank Joanna and John Friedberger for very generously allowing them to use their camper van for boiling water, washing up and storing perishables in the fridge. To say nothing of supplying endless cups of tea, coffee and iced water.

Thanks go too to Andy, and his Father, who very kindly offered the family tent in case of inclement weather during home league matches.

The B team did use the RAU ‘Relish’ cafe on one occasion but either side of that one match it was closed as a result of student holidays.

More this way!

ME

BEARS ON TOUR TO WORCESTER

- The Bears were out in force with a friendly match against Worcester Norton on Friday 26th July. The Club took players with handicaps ranging from 3 up to 24 and Worcester Norton did its utmost to set equally handicapped people to play one another. This really was a Bears road trip as 11 players travelled up the M5 to play. - Worcester had 2 lawns with the lowest handicappers playing on a full lawn and the higher handicapped players double banking on half a lawn. It was pretty busy on the half lawns!- Worcester Norton provided a delicious lunch, a range of cakes for afternoon tea and the weather ensured a great day’s outing.- If all that wasn’t enough, the Bears won by 9 games to 7.- Thank you to B team captain, Clive Edgington, for arranging the fixture.

Below are those Bears who travelled to Worcester, along with their handicaps. Alan Slater – 3Richard Way – 4.5Andy Smith – 4.5Matthew Jackson – 5John Ireland – 14Dave Ireland – 20Clive Edgington – 22Harvey Smith – 24Joanna Friedberger – 24Pauline Edgington - 24

Follow the paw!

THE GRASS ROOTSThe lawn is still showing signs of last year’s severe dry weather with the lower half lawn worst affected by bare patches. With more rain having fallen this year the grass has grown well, the ground has not become cracked and moister soil has made it easier to maintain the hoop holes. It is planned to re-seed the bare patches in the autumn.

WELCOME TO NEW PLAYERSWe are delighted to welcome new Bears members Rosemarie Chapman, Francis Landor and Alan Slater.

‘B’ TEAM LEAGUE RESULTS FOR THE SEASONDave Ireland won 57% of his singles matches (4 out of 7).Clive Edgington won 60% of his singles matches (3 out of 5).Russell Weston played only one match and was unable to match a much more experienced player. Joanna Friedberger won 50% of her doubles matches.Despite not clocking up a win, the number of hoops scored by Pauline Edgington climbed steadily during the season.

TALKING ABOUT OUR NEXT SOCIAL .....It is time for another social gathering and Marie would like to hear your ideas. Suggestions so far include croquet with afternoon tea at Burleigh Court or an early evening stroll followed by supper. Please let Marie know what you fancy doing either with croquet involved or just a nice glass of something chilled! amsmithandrew@aol.com

A SLEUTH OF BEARS SPOTTED IN CHELTENHAM!Always keen to get involved in tournaments 5 members of The Bears took part in the 2 day ‘high bisquers’ tournament in Cheltenham on 13th and 14th August.  Day one was glorious and ideal for croquet, day 2 was unfortunately more suitable for aspiring Gene Kellys.  Undaunted by the elements, Harvey Smith was victorious in one of his matches each day.  Joanna Friedberger won her very first singles match and Rosemarie Chapman ran 6 hoops in her very first competitive outing.  As well as the prize for the tournament winner (Sally from Chester) there were ‘Smartie’ awards for both Joanna and Rosemarie and Harvey won the under 50s section! It was a very enjoyable couple of days despite the rain.